jungleinthefrunk Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 Why do I need to take a rest day if I have a five day split: shoulders, arms/abs, back, chest, legs. Each muscle group definitely gets plenty of rest before the next time I work it (5 days) but people are saying i should rest two days a week, acting like I'm working the same muscle groups every single day...what is the REAL DEAL?? Not to mention that I sleep 8-9 hours a night and eat like a garbage truck and get 1.5-2 grams of protein per pound of body weight...Feedback appreciated. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VeganEssentials Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 Usually, it's recommended to get a rest day in just for the sake of letting your body have some recovery with minimal overall stress put on it. Though, many high-level athletes such as olympic lifters don't often take "rest days", rather, they do active recovery, where they'll take 1-2 days per week that are spent doing other things like taking a light jog, swimming, or other activity that they don't do all-out, but still don't tax the muscles in the same way. Of course, when you get older, rest becomes far more important. In my early to mid 20s, I could train for 90 minutes and run 3-6 miles every day and never get worn out by it even if I never took a break. Now, nearing 40, I can't train more than 2 days in a row before my body tells me to take a day off. I suppose you don't NEED to rest up if you don't want to, but you never know, it might help your progress even more to let your whole body recover one or two days each week! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jungleinthefrunk Posted September 15, 2011 Author Share Posted September 15, 2011 So I guess training chest after a back day isn't necessarily considered "active recovery"? It makes sense....but psychologically I feel shitty if I don't train....but a lot of times on a day returning after a day off I feel great. I usually take one day off ever two or three weeks (usually on a weekend if I was out late). But that's it. I'm gonna be 27 in December. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewybaws Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 I think active recovery is doing some form of exercise which won't tax you but aims to speed up recovery by getting blood into the affected areas or increase flexibility. Generally combat any of the negative after effects of exercise like muscle soreness or stiffness. After a hard lower body day sometimes I'll foam roll or do some high rep bodyweight or squats with the bar just to get my flexibility back and I'll often feel better after it. If I just sit about I often feel even worse the next day lol. Rest days aren't just about giving the muscles rest, it taxes your whole body. If you don't like doing absolutely nothing then just do something light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jungleinthefrunk Posted September 16, 2011 Author Share Posted September 16, 2011 Point taken...thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vivalasvegans Posted September 16, 2011 Share Posted September 16, 2011 Everything Chewy said. I hate taking rest days but I'm always so happy after I do. In my experience, a full rest day, where you just stay away from any physical stress to your body, helps you recover in all systems. Like, the immune system benefits from a day off because training hard taxes it no matter what kind of training it is. Beyond the purely physiological, at least for me, it gives me a chance to reflect on recent training and integrate it in a way that I can't do if I'm training every single day, even if I'm switching things up. Active recovery days are important too, but they're different from full on rest days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now